Times reporter John Hutchins puts his best foot forward for a morning stroll with the Tamar Valley Health Walk group.

‘FRESH air, beautiful countryside, good company, what’s not to like?’ — laughed walk team leader Steve Sheasby, as he looked across the splendid views from Hingston Down near Gunnislake and pointed out to his fellow walkers Bere Alston, Cargreen, on the edge of the River Tamar and even as far as Plymouth Sound.

Steve, a former teacher, was leading the weekly ‘Walking for Health’ group last Thursday on a mile circular walk around Hingston Down.

Like all the walk leaders he is a volunteer, fully trained on how to lead a walk, deal with emergencies and read a map.

Starting at the Tamar Valley Centre; Steve’s small group of participants, of all ages, had car shared to take a short ride to Hingston Down Car Park before embarking on their ‘trek’. They followed the footpath and took in the surrounding countryside, with its rich array of wildlife, flora and fauna — stopping at the historic Hingston Down Mine to read of its rich heritage, before resuming the gentle walk and returning to the car park, 30 minutes later.

Walking for Health offers a series of gentle walks varying from 30 to 90 minute strolls every Thursday morning. On each walk there are two fully trained walk leaders, giving all the support and encouragement you’ll need if you’re just starting out, or getting back into shape after an illness or operation. Most walks begin at the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls, near Gunnislake.

New this year are slightly longer walks, including a beautiful walk through Cotehele Woods and a walk largely following part of the long-distance walking route, the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail, to Calstock. These longer walks also come with the incentive of ending at a well-earned refreshment stop!

Charlotte Dancer, the information and communication officer at Tamar Valley AONB, supporter of the walks, said: ‘The Tamar Valley Health Walks are for everybody of all ages and are socially inclusive — so if you are a family or live on your own, it doesn’t matter.

‘Walkers can take part in a gentle stroll or one which is more of a challenge — some come for the social side, others for the exercise.

‘And the great thing is that it’s all free! So you can wake up on the morning of the walk, look at the weather and decide then and there whether to turn up or not. You’d be most welcome. Just come along when you can — you do not have to commit to every week — and enjoy the fresh air, meeting new people in a small, friendly, group where you won’t be overwhelmed.

‘Our job, at the Tamar Valley AONB, is to conserve, enhance and promote this wonderful landscape and history that is on our doorstep so I thoroughly recommend the “Walking For Health” programme as well as our Walk and Talk group (on a Wednesday).’

Charlotte said that the venture has the support of the Ramblers’ Association and locally by the Tamar Valley Health Patients’ Group and the pharmacist in Gunnislake.

Now becoming a regular with the health walks is Peter Hicks from Gunnislake, a retired optometrist, who opened his opticians in Saltash on the day the Tamar Bridge opened to traffic (1961).

At the age of 43 Peter suffered brain damage, which frighteningly left him with periods of not being able to move or talk and left him with slurred speech and memory loss — thankfully, specialist treatment has helped him much improve his condition. Despite his setbacks health wise Peter, now aged 77, is determined to make the most of his disability and enjoy the opportunity to get out into the fresh air with like minded country lovers.

‘We live in a lovely part of the world. I opened my curtains the other day and looked out on the Tamar Valley and the sun poured in. I saw these two strips of red and deep blue across the sky. I had never seen anything like it before. It was so beautiful.

‘I like these walks because I must keep fit and the exercise also helps me keep my weight down.’

Toni Dunmow, aged 50, from St Germans, near Saltash, saw an advertisement two years ago appealing for walk leaders in the Tamar Valley promotional guide and decided it was for her. As a ‘back walker’ for the Hingston circular walk, Toni shepherded any ‘straggler’ at the back — always with a smile.

Volunteer Toni said: ‘I’m a self employed plumber so I’m pretty fortunate as I’m flexible with my time. I haven’t done this particular one to Hingston Down Mine before. I like walking and talking to people rather than just walking by yourself and its also great to discover places I’ve never been before.’

After a busy life as a wife and mother, research scientist, school teacher and shop worker Penny Morris is now retired.

Penny, who lives in Gunnislake, and aged 71, takes part both in the Tamar Valley Health Walks and also the Tavistock ‘Walk and Talk’. She said: ‘When you retire you have to do something to keep you occupied. Living in such a lovely part of the country I enjoy being outside in the fresh air, so this is ideal. I also am a little overweight so I decided to do something about it! What better way to exercise.’

There was no holding back little Emma Neal from Bere Alston, who, although not even three years of age, clearly enjoyed ambling through the countryside. She was there with her dad George and mum Aimee.

‘As a family we love going for walks together,’ said Aimee. ‘As well as Emma we have two boys, six and eight, who are on the autistic spectrum and suffer from epilepsy. As parents we try to encourage them to get outdoors and exercise. Taking them for walks is a great way for them to release their energy.

‘They just love the countryside. We took them up Kit Hill and the boys found a caterpiller, a big fat one. Unlike some children they love everything creepy crawly, so we put it on a stick and they were fascinated by it.

‘Coming out for walks as a family is far better for them, and us, than being stuck in front of a computer or a television!’

To view the walks’ programme go to the website at www.tamarvalley.org.uk For further details contact the Tamar Valley AONB team — 01822 835030 or email [email protected]

Health Walks In The Area

Tamar Valley Centre Circular: Length 30 minutes, one mile — a short walk passing Drakewalls Mine.

Delaware Road: Length 30 minutes, 1.1 miles — a short walk, mostly on quiet lanes.

Under Cadson Bury circular: Length 60 minutes. 1.4 miles — a superb circular walk on good surfaces following the River Lynher. Albaston, Cotehele Woods,

Danescombe: Length two hours. 2.5 miles —a lovely walk mainly on public footpaths, through woods and across fields and country roads. Stunning views.

Hingston Down: Length 30 minutes, one mile — this is a circular walk, all on footpaths. With the option to take in Hingston Mine.

To Calstock via Old Kelly Lane: Length 90 minutes, 2.3 miles — a wonderful walk along the top of the Danescombe Valley ending in Calstock.

Todsworthy/Frieseland Triangle: Length 90 minutes. Albaston, then follows the road towards Norris Green.

Drakewalls to Calstock: Length 90 minutes, 2.5 miles — A scenic walk mainly along the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail, from Drakewalls to Calstock.

Kit Hill circular: Length 90 minutes. 1.7 miles —a fabulous walk with amazing views across the Tamar Valley.

St Ann’s Chapel/Honicombe Circular: Length 90 minutes, 2.62 miles — through St Ann’s Chapel with stunning views across Plymouth Sound on a clear day, then turns left passing the Donkey Park and back to the centre.

Calstock Quay Circular: Length 45 minutes. Walking around by the river and looping back into the village along the lane. Optional addition around Okel Tor Mine.

Around Kit Hill: Length two hours, 1.91 miles —a clockwise circuit around Kit Hill, enjoying views across to Bodmin and visiting the quarry.